Veterans Health Insurance

What are the health insurance options for veterans?

If you are a veteran, you have 3 options for your healthcare. 

Option 1: Australian Department of Veterans Affairs

Am I a veteran?

Traditionally, the term ‘veteran’ referred to former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in war or war-like environments. 

This definition now covers anyone who has experience in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including permanent, reserve and former (ex-serving) personnel. 

The definition is broader because it is now accepted that Australian Defence Force (ADF) members have unique experiences in the military that can affect their health and wellbeing, compared to the rest of the Australian population. 

I served in the armed forces, am I eligible for free healthcare?

If you served in the armed forces, you may be eligible for free or subsidised healthcare. 

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides 3 health cards for veterans: 

1. Veteran Gold Card 
2. Veteran White Card 
3. Veteran Orange Card. 

Each offers a different level of healthcare. Your eligibility for a card depends on your service. 

Veteran Gold Card

What is a Veteran Gold Card?

The Veteran Gold Card gives you access to clinically required treatments for all medical conditions. 

These may include: 

• treatment at a hospital or day-procedure facility 

• treatment provided by a GP or medical specialist 

• treatment provided by an allied health professional 

• treatment by a dentist or optometrist 

• medicines at a cheaper concession rate 

• community nursing 

• pathology and medical imaging. 

These treatments are usually free. 

You can also receive a range of other services, including: 

• counselling 

• home help 

• medical aids, equipment and modifications 

• travel to and from medical appointments 

• care services. 

These services are usually for free or at low cost. 

Am I eligible for a Veteran Gold Card?

Check here whether you are eligible for a Veteran Gold Card. 

If you are a war widow or orphan, you may also be eligible for the Veteran Gold Card. 

Veteran White Card

What is a Veteran White Card?

The Veteran White Card gives you access to medical treatment for: 

• accepted service-related injuries 

• all mental health conditions (for veterans with continuous full-time service and certain reserve service). 

If you are eligible, the Veteran White Card can also give you access to medical treatments for: 

• cancer (malignant neoplasm) covered under non-liability healthcare 

• pulmonary tuberculosis covered under non-liability healthcare. 

These may include: 

• treatment at a hospital or day-procedure facility 

• treatment provided by a GP or medical specialist 

• treatment provided by an allied health professional 

• treatment by a dentist or optometrist 

• medicines at a cheaper concession rate 

• community nursing 

• pathology and medical imaging. 

These treatments are usually free. 

You can also receive a range of other services, including: 

• counselling 

• home help 

• medical aids, equipment and modifications 

• travel to and from medical appointments 

• care services. 

Am I eligible for a Veteran White Card?

Check here whether you are eligible for a Veteran White Card. 

Veteran Orange Card

What is a Veteran Orange Card?

The Veteran Orange Card gives you a concession rate for prescription medicines, wound care items and nutritional supplements. 

You cannot use your Veteran Orange Card to access medical or other healthcare treatment. 

Am I eligible for a Veteran Orange Card?

Check here whether you are eligible for a Veteran Orange Card. 

Option 2: Medicare

Like all Australians, you can rely on the public health system Medicare for your health needs.

You can receive a wide range of medical treatments for free or at a lower cost. 

However, if you rely on Medicare, you cannot choose: 

• the doctor who treats you in a public hospital 

• when you receive that treatment. 

You have less choice about the treatments you receive and may have to join long waiting lists for elective surgery. 

 You have to pay out of your own pocket for treatments not covered by Medicare, including: 

• Chiropractic
• Optical
• Physiotherapy.

Option 3: Veterans private health insurance

In Australia, veterans private health insurance is private health cover for veterans. 

You have the option of taking out:

• Hospital Cover
• Extras Cover
• Combined Hospital and Extras Cover
• Ambulance Cover Only.

There are no specific private health insurance products for veterans. However, some insurers offer Hospital Cover or Extras Cover policies that are tailored to veterans.

Are there health insurers that specialise in providing private health insurance for veterans?

Yes. There are 2 private health insurers that specialise in private health insurance for veterans: 

• Defence Health
• Navy Health.

Both are not-for-profit insurers and restricted funds. 

The eligibility to join Defence Health includes: 

• partner or child of an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member 

• previous Australian Defence Force (ADF) member 

• current or former employee of an Australian Defence Force (ADF) department or contractor, including: 

• Department of Defence 

• Defence-related department 

• a Defence-supplier or contractor. 

The eligibility to join Navy Health includes: 

• serving or ex-serving member of the ADF, including reservists and cadets (Army, Navy, Air Force) 

• past or present employee of the Department of Defence 

• past or present employee of organisations contracted to provide services to the Department of Defence 

• employee of the Australian Public Service providing services to the ADF or the Department of Defence. 

You may also be able to join Navy Health if you are a partner, child, grandchild, parent or sibling of anyone listed above or someone who was a member of Navy Health on 12 October 2007. 

How much does private health insurance cost for veterans?

Prices

For one adult (per month): 

• The lowest Hospital Cover starts at around $39.30 in the NT up to around $102.99 in Qld

• Extras Cover starts at around $14.95 in the NT ranging up to $22.73 in Qld and SA for cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy

• Combined Hospital and Extras Cover starts at around $56.65 in the NT up to around $119.55 in NSW and the ACT for Basic Hospital Cover plus Extras Cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy. 

For 2 adults (per month): 

• The lowest Hospital Cover starts at around $78.60 in the NT ranging up to around $205.98 in Qld

• Extras Cover starts at around $29.90 in the NT and $45.45 in Qld and SA for cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy

• Combined Hospital and Extras Cover starts at around $113.30 in the NT ranging up to around $228.85 in Qld for Basic Hospital Cover plus Extras Cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy.

For 2 adults with child dependants (per month): 

• The lowest Hospital Cover starts at around $78.60 in the NT ranging up to $205.98 in Qld

• Extras Cover starts at around $29.90 in the NT up to $45.45 in Qld and SA for cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy

• Combined Hospital and Extras Cover starts at around $113.61 in the NT ranging up to around $228.85 in Qld for Basic Hospital Cover plus Extras Cover that includes General Dental, Optical and Physiotherapy. 

Key factors affecting the cost of private health insurance for veterans

Ultimately, the cost of private health insurance for veterans depends on the tier of Hospital Cover/or extent of Extras Cover, where you live, excess payable and any co-payments: 

• The tier of Hospital Cover:
  • Basic Cover
  • Bronze Cover
  • Silver Cover
  • Gold Cover.

• Extent of Extras Cover 
• Where you live. You will pay more if: 
  • you live in a state or territory where there is a higher rate of claims 
  • your state or territory charges more for hospital services. 
• Higher excess: applies if you want to pay this in exchange for a lower premium 
• Co-payment: applies if you want to make a contribution for every day you are in hospital in exchange for a lower premium. 

Other factors that could impact your premium 

If government incentives and penalties apply to you, these will impact how much you pay for your policy. These are partly determined by: 

• You and your partner’s age: 
  • if you did not take out Hospital Cover before the age of 31, you have to pay the Lifetime Health Cover Loading, which means you pay 2% per year for every year you have not taken out cover, up to a maximum of 70%.  
• Your combined income: if you’re single and your income is less than $164,000 or living with a partner and your combined income is $328,000 or less, you may be eligible for the Private Health Insurance Rebate, which gives you a premium reduction on: 
  • Hospital Cover 
  • Extras Cover 
  • Ambulance Cover. 
• Different premium reductions apply depending on your age and income bracket, so check your eligibility.  

If you’re single and your income is more than $105,000 or living with a partner and your combined income is more than $210,000 per year, and you do not have Hospital Cover, you may have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge. 

What is the best private health insurance for veterans?

To find the best veterans health insurance for you, ask yourself these questions:

How can I compare health insurance for veterans?

Use our free calculator to find the best and cheapest health insurance policy for you. You can also compare your existing policy against other relevant policies currently in the market.  

We compare every insurer and every policy, with no commercial bias, and guarantee you the cheapest policy.  

You can also personalise your premium by calculating whether you: 

• can save on your health insurance because you are eligible for the Private Health Insurance Rebate and Age-based Discount 

• have to pay more due to the Lifetime Health Cover Loading.